Alert: Utah Prepares for Powerful Late Spring Snowstorm

Alert Utah Prepares for Powerful Late Spring Snowstorm

In the highlands of Utah, winter has not yet ended.

Ahead of a “significant late season storm” that could dump as much as 1 to 2 feet of snow in some areas of the region between Sunday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Wasatch and western Uinta mountains.

The organization posted on social networking platform X, “Significant mountain snow across northern Utah is expected through this time, with the heaviest period anticipated on Sunday.”

By Monday night, some valley cities in northern Utah might also see more than an inch of rain, As per meteorologist Kevin Eubank .

A much weaker system that brought a few inches of mountain snow Friday morning is predicted to be followed by the storm.

Although it was dropping moisture on portions of the coasts of Oregon and Washington on Friday afternoon, Eubank said it was expected to continue southeast and arrive reach Utah early on Sunday morning.

But communities will be affected first by severe winds. For the majority of western Utah, where wind gusts of up to 55 to 60 mph are predicted between Saturday afternoon and the first part of Sunday, the National Weather Service issued strong wind warnings and wind advisories.

There might be some damage as a result, such as fallen trees and powerlines.

It is predicted that once a cold front passes over the state, the winds will subside. In the valleys, the storm is expected to bring a combination of rain and thunderstorms, with snowfall expected in the mountains.

“It’s got cold air, it’s got abundant moisture and it’s really going to hit northern Utah extra hard,” Eubank stated. “It rains all day Sunday and lingers into Monday. … And then, even into Tuesday, we’re dealing with rain.”

According to Eubank, there’s a chance that Monday’s rain will partly convert to snow at bench levels, though not much snow may accumulate. Tuesday is when the system is expected to empty out.

Read Also: Climate Change Reduces Snow Deluge Frequency in US Western States

By the beginning of next week, high temperatures along the Wasatch Front are expected to fall from Saturday’s upper 70s to low-to-mid 50s. It is predicted that by Tuesday, highs around St. George will rise back into the upper 70s after dropping from the mid-80s to the upper 60s and lower 70s.

The majority of the places under the storm warning are expected to receive 8 to 16 inches of snow, but the weather service warns that higher elevations in the Cottonwood Canyons and the mountains surrounding Ogden could see up to 2 feet of snow.

“Winter driving conditions are expected, especially above 7,500 feet,” as per the warning. “Those in the backcountry will experience winter-like conditions.”

For the central and southern mountain ranges, much smaller snow totals are anticipated.

According to Eubank, the most of the moisture will likely end someplace north of Nephi. With heavier totals in the bench areas, it could bring between one and one and a half inches of rain between Provo and Logan.

According to the same model, central Utah may see up to a half-inch of precipitation, while portions of southern Utah may see as little as a tenth of an inch. When the storm moves in, all of the numbers could shift.

Reference

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.